Gun enthusiasts often like to repeat that guns bring freedom and end up treating freedom as a consequence of access to weapons. I, too, used to believe in this and repeated such phrases many times. The truth, however, is a bit more complicated.
Before you label me as a disarmament advocate, leftist, or dictator (which, historically, is essentially the same thing), allow me to explain. This is not a text against the freedom of access to weapons; in fact, there is no restriction on firearms with which I agree. I am confident in saying that I defend the right to bear arms much more than the overwhelming majority of gun owners.
So, Lucas, what are you trying to say?
A friend of mine once told me that where weapons are sold, courage is not sold. Without courage, young Padawan, you can have as many weapons as you want. If you are not brave enough, you will hand over your weapons to the first enemy who asks.
Free access to weapons is a necessary condition but not a sufficient condition for a free society. All the world’s dictatorships were built with the use of weapons. And all the world’s dictatorships were imposed on people who chose not to fight, who submitted to abuses.
I witnessed, in the third world, an entire armed nation surrender to a criminal group seizing power. Cowardice exacts a price as high as disarmament.
I encourage every honest, just, and upright citizen to buy their weapons, learn to use them, and carry them daily. And with the same intensity, I repeat:
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
A man who has no reason to die has no reason to live.
